Lebanon is preparing to hold its first municipal elections in nine years, after they were postponed three consecutive times. The countdown begins with the first electoral round in Mount Lebanon Governorate this coming Sunday, followed by the North and Akkar, then the Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel, concluding with the South and Nabatieh on May 24.
Around 7,000 candidates are running in Mount Lebanon, including 1,243 women, while 64 municipalities have been won uncontested so far.
Key Electoral Battles:
- Metn District: A strong contest between an alliance of the Kataeb Party and the Lebanese Forces on one side, and an alliance between the Murr family and the Free Patriotic Movement on the other.
- Kfartayoun: A family-based contest between two lists: the first headed by John Aqiqi, backed by Farid Haykal El Khazen, Nehmeh Frem, and his deputy Maroun Zagheb; and the second headed by Habib Zagheb, who is close to the Lebanese Forces, with Wahib Aqiqi as his deputy, backed by the current mayor Bassam Salameh.
- Jounieh: A confrontation between the “Five-Party Alliance,” bringing together traditional political figures such as Nehmeh Frem, Farid El Khazen, Mansour El Boun, the Lebanese Forces, and the Kataeb Party, and the current mayor, Juan Hbeish, and the Free Patriotic Movement.
- Jbeil: A contest between a list backed by the Lebanese Forces and MP Ziad Hawat, and another backed by the Free Patriotic Movement.
- Barja (Chouf District): An unusual alliance bringing together the Jamaa Islamiya, the Progressive Socialist Party, former MP Alaaeddine Terro, and the Lebanese Communist Party, facing a list formed by local families.
- Choueifat: A contest between a list backed by the Progressive Socialist Party and the Lebanese Democratic Party, and another representing civil society and independent candidates.
